Tool Design: Concept and Meaning, Objective, Types

In this article, you will learn what is tool design? Its concept and meaning, objective, types, and so on.

80% of the quality of any tool product is made in the tool design stage itself, 20% is made in the remaining stages like production, inspection, assembly, etc. 

So the quality of the product is decided by the quality of the tool design.  

The major responsibility of the product rests with the tool designer.  

Hence the tool design engineer plays a vital role in the success of the product and ultimately the success of the company.

Before knowing the tool design first of all we have to know what is design and tool so that we can better understand the design of the tool.

So without wasting time let's get started.

What is design?

Design is a process.

As per the concept, preliminary sketches are made, samples are made and prototypes are made then it is tested. If found OK, final drawings are made.  

According to the drawings, the die, mold, the fixture is designed. 

The product is assembled and sold in the market.

Customers use the product and feedback is received. Again the design changes, so the design is an ongoing process.

What is Tool?

A component or device that is used to manufacture other components is called a tool.

All machines and equipment used in production are broadly called tools. 

Therefore engineering includes machine tools, cutting tools, and tools such as jigs, fixtures, dies, and gauges all tools in production.

What is Tool Design?

A tool design is a process of designing and developing the tools, methods, and techniques needed to improve manufacturing efficiency and productivity.

Tool design is the process of designing tools, jigs and fixtures, other tools and accessories, keeping in the mind the quality and quantity of parts to be produced, the machines required to operate such as lathe machine, milling machine, etc, the available space, and the safety of the operator.

Nowadays, all these types of machines are fully automated which work on cnc machining.

Concept and Meaning of Tool Design

The workpiece drawing shows where machining is required and the type of machining operations to be performed to produce the desired product.  

The type of equipment to be used for machining operations is then decided and designed to meet the machining requirement.  

To hold and guide the cutting tool, we need different tools. We need to design these tools as well.  

To inspect parts, we need various measuring instruments and gauges. We have to design them too.  

There is no need to design cutting tools like a single-point cutting tool, drill, milling cutter, vice, chuck, locating pin, micrometer, vernier, etc as they are easily available in the market in their standard form with the required capacity and accuracy.  

Jigs and fixtures, gauges, dies, etc. are designed for a specific job, so their design is called tool design.

Objective of Tool Design

1. First Time Right Decision 
2. Commitment-Delivery 
3. Cost Reduction 
4. Implementation of Creative Ideas 
5. Adherence to Company, National & International Standards 
6. Coordination 
7. TPM – Total Productive Maintenance

Types of Tool Design

There are following types of tools are designed:

• Die Design
• Mould Design
• Fixture Design
• Pattern Design
• Gauge Design
• Template Design

See in the figure one of the types of tool design that is a pattern tool design.

Is the Tool Design Perfect?

No, any tool design is perfect.  

Tool design is always a compromise If I design the tool, I will give more importance to strength.

If you are designing you will give more weightage to cost, somebody will give more weightage to the look.  

Similarly various aspects like:

1. Compact design
2. Ease of assembly 
3. Ease of manufacture
4. Fault proofing
5. Life
6. Handling ease 
7. Comfort ergonomics, etc. 

So there is always a scope for improvement.

So, I hope I have covered everything about "tool design."  If you still have any doubts or queries regarding this topic, you can mail me or ask in the comments, I will definitely answer you.  

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